The college student arrested in connection with the March 6 prank 911 call that yielded a five-hour police investigation did not appear in court this week as originally scheduled.

Alvin Montgomery, whose phone investigators have said was used to falsely report an armed individual held up in a house on West Murray Street, had been set for trial Monday. But officials in the McDonough County State's Attorney's Office are hoping to keep the case out of court and appease the costs of police response from multiple agencies that totaled more than $12,000.

Assistant State's Attorney Justin Bougher said Tuesday that the 25-year-old defendant wanted the chance to work out a deal, so the case was continued.

"My guess is it either goes to trial next month or we would work out a plea," Bougher said. "I don't see him requesting another continuation."

If no such deal arrives, charges against Montgomery are eligible to be upped to felonies.

The real "sticking point," Bougher said, is the restitution for the costs incurred from law enforcement's extra efforts.

"We want him to pay for all the overtime to respond to that call," he said, "and that's what's sort of taking a little longer."

As previously reported in late March, the largest amount in restitution — $7,868.41 — came from the Illinois State Police. The Macomb Police Department reportedly incurred $2,406.55, the McDonough County Sheriff's Office with $1,032.39 and the Western Illinois University with $1,384.56.

During the March 6 incident, police responded to the call on West Murray, informing media the house was found to be empty shortly after 11 p.m. Montgomery, a sophomore pre-law enforcement and justice administration student, was apprehended the following day.

A university spokesperson has previously told The Voice that the "pre" indicates that Montgomery hadn't met the criteria to declare the law enforcement and justice administration major, and as a student, he would face WIU's judicial process.

Montgomery does not need to be convicted of the crime in order for the judicial process to take place.

The Voice was unable to touch base with Tim Sheridan, director of WIU's student judicial programs, as of end of day Tuesday.